May 31 Friday 7:00 am Desert Washes Walk
(moderate) Come discover the fascinating world of a desert wash. This hike will feature the exploration of Cottonwood Wash which drains into Cave Creek. Along the way we will discuss desert washes and mesas and how the ecosystems differ. Long pants and sturdy shoes are recommended. Bring plenty of water.

Intro to Animal Tracking
Ever wondered what animal left their mark on the trail before you? Even when we don’t see actual animals, we can determine which animals are in the Park through signs such as tracks and scat. On this short 0.6 mile round trip walk to the Nursery Tank pond, we’ll use the clues they left behind to find out which animals visited the night before. Meet at the Nursery Tank Trailhead.

Drop-in Tortoise Feedings
Come meet our resident tortoises, Lily, Lady, McKenzie and Scarlett. Drop in anytime between 10:30 & 11:30am to help Ranger Amy feed them lunch! Find out why you should never pick up a wild tortoise, and learn about tortoises that are looking for homes.
Don’t forget your camera – our tortoises are very photogenic (and they move slowly so you can get great pictures. Meet out back of the Visitor Center. The County Parks are getting Wet ‘n’ Wild this Summer!
“The County Parks are getting Wet ‘n’ Wild this Summer!” That means program participants will be eligible to win a 4-pak of tickets to Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix! 1. Tickets will be issued one per family. 2. Families can only win one set of 2013 Wet ‘n’ Wild tickets. 3. Visitors must attend the program in full and must be present to win. At the end of the program, the Interpretive Ranger will pull one winning ticket. 4. One 4-pack will be issued per program.

Date: 5/31/2013

Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AMDuration: 1 hour

Speaker: Ranger Amy

Registration Required: No

Fee: $6 per vehicle park entry fee

Contact: amyburnett@mail.maricopa.gov 480-471-0173x201

Location: McDowell Mountain Regional Park

Address:16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr.Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

Summer Hiking 101 at White Tank Park

White Tank Mountains Regional Park

Hiking in the summer can be risky at best, especially if you are not prepared. This class will give you a few common sense tips that will minimize any problems you may encounter on summer outings.

Date: 5/31/2013

Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PMDuration: 1.5 hours

Registration Required: No

Fee: $2.00 per person or $6.00 Park entry fee ( this will get you in to the Park)

Bring the kids to the park for some fun at the playground, then bring them inside the “air-conditioned” Nature Center for a fun family friendly feature film and a picnic lunch! You bring
the kids and snacks and we’ll provide the entertainment!
“The County Parks are getting Wet ‘n’ Wild this Summer!” That means program participants will be eligible to win a 4-pak of tickets to Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix!
1. Tickets will be issued one per family.
2. Families can only win one set of 2013 Wet ‘n’ Wild tickets.
3. Visitors must attend the program in full and must be present to win. At the end of the program, the Interpretive Ranger will pull one winning ticket.
4. One 4-pack will be issued per program.

How dangerous are scorpions? How can we protect ourselves from them? How do they survive and thrive in our desert? If you would like to know the answers to these questions, or any questions you may have about scorpions, then this one-hour presentation is for you! Bring your sandwich to the “Brown-Bag It” series inside our Nature Center as Ranger B shares some amazing facts about these desert dwellers. Location: Nature Center. Watch us feed our snakes after the program at 7:30pm. Then join our “Scorpion Hunt” at 8:00pm at no extra cost!

Date: 5/31/2013

Time: 6:30 PM

Registration Required: No

Fee: $6.00 per car

Scorpion Hunt (first one of the year!) - Usery Park

Usery Mountain Regional Park

Did you know that scorpions glow in the dark under a blacklight? Join Ranger B as he leads us on this fun and safe night walk to find these elusive desert dwellers (using our eyes only). You will learn cool facts about these amazing creatures and sharpen your spotting skills! All ages will enjoy this casual one-hour/one-mile walk. Please wear closed-toe shoes and bring water and a flashlight (blacklights are recommended and are for sale for $10, batteries and tax included). No pets, please. Location: Trail Staging Area. Join our “All About Scorpions” program inside our Nature Center at 6:30pm and our snake feeding at 7:30pm at no extra cost!